MUTE

Empty Handed
MereImage

In order to hold a conversation, two beings capable of speaking are usually required. I guess I'm an exception. As of late, I've accumulated more one-on-one talks with my teammates in three weeks than in my entire lifetime before. Maybe I'm getting soft…or perhaps I'm just a prime subject. A listener that never interrupts; a speaker's dream.

"This looks like the last of it." Cy dusted off his hands after handing me the last of the boxes. My cloak had turned a dull gray, one that no one seemed to notice. Of all people, Beast Boy was the first to become aware of the color change three day previous. Guess he's more observant of his surroundings than I give him credit for. Either that or his mind was wandering in the gutter at the time.

I'm just going to forget I said that….well, thought it at least.

My arms wrapped around the last of the paper boxes as I teetered out of the room. Cy followed my out, shutting the door with a final click. As he walked down the opposite hallway, undoubtedly to the main room, he thought I couldn't hear him when he sighed.

I looked at the door for an ending moment before continuing my trek to my room. As the light flickered and died from above, a heart shaped jewelry box lay forgotten at the placemat of the entrance, illuminated in a silvery glow.

…………………………………………………….

I dropped the box onto my bed. I sat down next to it. My eyes narrowed.

It looked very…secretive.

My hands began prying open the tape, ignoring the 'junk' label on the side. I opened the flaps with dainty fingers, afraid I might rip part of it if I handled it any fiercer. It was just a stupid box…

A stupid…stupid….

I sighed.

At last my eyes connected with the inner contents while my hands rummaged through the objects. One by one I lifted each piece from the container and set it on top of my mattress. By the time 10 minutes passed, only one thing remained in the box. I lifted it up to eye level, pushing my hood from my head.

It was a tape, a few unreadable scribbles written on it. I rubbed its surface, glancing at the TV.

I got up and slipped it into the VCR player. The screen came to life, sound filtrating through the speakers. I watched in a daze, slowly backing up to sit cross-legged down on my bed. My eyes never left the picture.

Snkkkk…

I waited patiently.

"Stupid crap, it was working two seconds ago!" Cyborg's voice boomed, holding the camera at arms length peering scorn faced into it. Starfire hung questionably at his shoulder, tapping it lightly.

"Are you sure you have not 'plugged it in'?" Cyborg sighed. The screen flung around wildly, an effect of his desperation to find the problem.

"Star, you don't need to plug in video cameras."

"Then why is the red light blinking so animatingly friend?" Cyborg did a double take.

"Red…red light?" he turned the contraption around, giving a blurred pan of the main room. "Ah sh-"

The screen went black before another image popped up a few seconds later.

The level of the view seemed lower, strands of hair flying briefly across the screen. The location had changed. The sun glared into the lens, blinding the view. It wasn't long before it was lowered, picking up the scene as laughter crackled.

There we were, all of us. Even I was sitting under a large maple tree, reading my book. Everyone was there…minus one.

It made my wonder when this footage was shot. It didn't make sense. I looked at the date scrawled on the cover of the video case one more time for reassurance. Surely I had made a mistake.

But no, I hadn't. Terra should have been there, but she wasn't.

A chuckle.

I turned back to the film with baited eyes. It wasn't any chuckle, it was Terra's. I then knew who was behind the camera. I tensed as I leaned backwards on the bed. I should have been enjoying this, the past memories of the good times. But just like most of my habits, I usually didn't do normal things. Or experience them in fact.

Did the memories spark guilt? Depression? Lost hope? Or worst of all…remembrance of something good that once was, which we no longer had. I draped the blanket around myself, protection from the outer evils plaguing my thoughts.

The film continued on, just like time. It wouldn't stop, no matter how many times you tried to press pause on the remote.

"That's mine Robin!" Terra had finally reached the party, face hidden behind the camera.

The only thing signifying her presence was her voice. I had to have faith she was actually there. A ghost that hid behind mirrors…just like when she was alive.

A wobbly arm reached out, swiping a hotdog from our leader's hands. His eye mask rumpled, looking plainly at his empty hands. Starfire giggled, the rest laughed.

A long forgotten smirk appeared on his face, as a green finger pointed in her direction.

"I'll challenge you for it!" He shot up dramatically, becoming her on with a wave of his hand. Terra only had time to catch the roll of my eyes with the camera as I made my appearance.

"Oh please Robin. Stop being immat-"


"You're on bird boy!" a muffled ruffling sound could be heard as she shoved the camera into another's hands. Who one might ask? Do I even have to say it?

"Typical." I set it down beside me, getting footage of passing feet. But for whatever reason, I picked it up again when nobody was looking. Attention drawn to another place.

I leaned forward. I didn't remember that part.

Terra and Robin had gotten into their fighting positions, fists raised. The rest of the Titans surrounded in a miniature circle ranging from Cy adorned in the chef hand, Beast Boy with his tofu burger and Starfire with a cheerful grin elevated on her face. No one realized that I was actually filming.

Terra mockingly held the food substance, dangling it out in front.

Robin shifted.

Terra mocked.

Robin cracked his knuckles.

Terra mocked.

Robin charged.

And Terra…stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. Robin's eye mask widened as he flew straight into her causing the pair to topple harshly to the ground with a thud.

Robin leaped up, arms folded as he stalked away.

"Terra! That was cheating!" The girl shrugged, rising from the ground herself.

"All's fair in war Robin."

I sat with my jaw and mind wide out in the open. I never realized it the first time she said it. I thought it had been just a quirky little remark. In truth, I'm not sure if Terra truly knew what she was saying. But it seemed like Cyborg was thinking the exact thing I was.

Across the way on the monitor, Cyborg's eyes popped open, a quirky smile turned into a frown. I'm sure Robin might have caught it too if he hadn't been so agitated with defeat…and if Starfire hadn't showered down on him with a hug so strong it caused them to tumble feet away. They landed close together.

Sheesh. Hormones.

All's fair in war.

False persuasion, mockery, it certainly said a lot about her battling technique. This was even after the incident with Slade, freedom from stone. Some habits are hard to break-

I inhaled deeply.

Even mine. After I declared it in my mind, the video tape was once again filming the blades of grass, sound echoing all around. I could distantly hear the flip of the page. I was back to my mundane schedule I strictly kept to.

The power turned off with a simple click as I hit the eject button, securing the footage tightly in my grasp.

I walked directly towards the door, leaving the rest of the items on my bed. Parting with many of the things I had dragged along in my life.

Even with my powers gone, free to do as I wish, I still pushed everyone away. I still shunned myself to the darkest corners, and made conversations based on hidden sarcasm.

I think everyone was right all along; perhaps it is time for change. I wonder if Cy needs some help down in the garage.. My cloak shimmered, the dull gray washed into a brighter shade, yet it still came nowhere near the white it once held.

As I made my way out the door with the tape in my hand I paused, giving a side glance to the trash just to my right.

"….."

Ready for a new beginning,

I left empty handed.